Used car guide

2012 Nissan X-Trail: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Nissan X-Trails, from 1,644 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,644MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,100typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Nissan X-Trails than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Ball joint3.7× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    20.7% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 13.7%, against 3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod ends4× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    19.5% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Suspension arm5× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    13% All 2012 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    13.4% All 2012 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.9× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    10.7% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Better than most

Coil springs: 2.7% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars. Engine oil leaks: 2.4% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    40% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Nissan X-Trail?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022539Tyres 17%
20212,312Brakes 28%
20204,749Brakes 25%
20195,667Brakes 26%
20188,905Tyres 28%
201717,100Suspension 34%
201614,808Suspension 42%
20158,178Suspension 49%
20143,809Suspension 55%
20131,576Suspension 54%
20111,966Suspension 60%
20101,291Suspension 64%
20091,712Suspension 64%
20082,581Suspension 65%
20072,967Suspension 63%
20063,212Suspension 66%
20052,397Suspension 62%
20041,479Suspension 60%
2003832Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Nissan X-Trails registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score